Sustainable farming at sea
To secure food, feed, green chemistry and energy
Wageningen, 26 January 2016 Willem A. Brandenburg
We are not aware using seaweeds everyday!
Seaweeds are algae
Algae: a heterogeneous group
Archaebacteria Eubacteria
Blue algae
“Algae”
Green algae Brown algae Red algae Eukaryotes 2000 spp.
1200 spp. 6000 spp. Seaweeds in the North Sea
Dulse Palmaria palmata (red seaweed) Laminaria digitata (brown seaweed)
All these seaweeds have economic potential. We now have to recognise the for domestication relevant characters in other Sea Lettuce Wakame Seaweeds. Ulva lactuca Undaria pinnatifida (green seaweed) (brown seaweed) Seaweed biology
No energy loss: seaweeds are hardly differentiating Total biomass can be harvested Total variation of photosynthesis systems; light extincts fastly in the water column, but some seaweeds are still growing 100m below sea surface (clear water) Production possible throughout the year Brown seaweeds such as Saccharina and Laminaria spp. grow during winter season Marine ecological literature is not always relevant for cultivation (red seaweeds does not grow slowly under production conditions) Seaweed biology: growing depths from sea surface Green seaweed 0 -10 Brown -20 seaweed -30 -40 meter -50 Red Depth of seawater -60 seaweed -70 -80 -90 -100 m Green Brown Red seaweed seaweed seaweed Our model plant: Ulva lactuca or Sea Lettuce Our model plant: Ulva lactuca or Sea Lettuce
. Biofilter . Bioplastics >> marine biodegradable . Proteins >> sustainable aquatic feed >> human food . Antibiotics . Bioenergy >> ethanol or biodiesel . Green chemicals >> ulvans, lipids, fucose, fucoxanthin Our model plant: Ulva lactuca or Sea Lettuce
. Most primitive green plant . Sporofyt and gametofyt both consist of two cell layers; can double its dry weight per day . Is thé seaweed for laboratory studies and the production of specialties Ulva lactuca or Sea Lettuce
Saccharina latissima, good for 10 tonnes Dw/ha/yr Dutch conditions 2tonnes of protein, 4tonnes of carbohydrates, incl. emulsifiers and 250kg of PUFAs
The first year at de Wierderij Seaweed cultivation 2013 Results
. Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissima (brown seaweeds) respond to the cumulative temperature sum (Eastern Scheldt water temperature) with regard to the moment at which young plantlets (min. 5cm) are fixed to production lines and to the harvest moment. . Implying, that offshore seafarms are now opportunities, when equipped with temperature sensors: we need only exactly in time twice a year sen to send an equipe to the seafarm: the planting moment and the harvesting moment. . Ulva lactuca, however, responds to the actual water temperature during summertime; it is therefore dependent on the costs and benefits whether it is worthwhile considering this one in an offshore scenario. . Temperatuur sum data
5000.0
4500.0
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3000.0
2500.0
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0.0
1
31 11 21 41 51 61 71 81 91
111 191 271 351 101 121 131 141 151 161 171 181 201 211 221 231 241 251 261 281 291 301 311 321 331 341 361
We live at sea
. Two third of the world population lives not more than 400km from the sea.
. Somewhat more than halve of the population lives at a maximum of 200km from the sea Agroproduction 21st century
. In 2050 – in order to feed, clothe, house and energise mankind – we need to have doubled agroproduction . Question: is that possible? ● Yes, it is, but then don’t bother about biodiversity, nature etc. ● Triple P? Yes, but then bring agriculture to the marine environment. . This should be the start of developing sustainable seafarms, based on seaweeds and (shell)fish Mariculture
. Utilisation of space of seas and oceans . Transition from collecting towards sustainable production . Seaweeds-based seafarms produce: • Proteins • Pufas • Carbohydrates • Micronutrients • Minerals (especially P) • Energy . Selection of production areas, “Hotspots”, and design of optimal production systems A futuristic view? 40 years for realisation! 1
. A futuristic view needs: ● A short term approach to meet the long term objectives ● A step by step programme to avoid long term irreversable disadvantageous consequences in societal, economical and environmental sense ● The development of the whole production and market chain ● Disruptive thinking . Starting point for new developments is that it must be TripleP sustainable, since we cannot afford any longer to threaten the worlds ecosystems and its biodiversity, and since we have to meet human requirements such as food security, green chemistry and climate measures
A futuristic view? 40 years for realisation! 2
. Seaweed-based sea farming is then an opportunity: ● Food security >> proteins, micronutrients and lots of other valuable compounds ● Green chemistry >> replacement of fossile resources together with land based plant resources ● Energy if not otherwise ● Production of fresh water if needed
● No freshwater usage for plant production ● Recycling of lost plant nutrients ● Sequestering Green House Gasses Valorisation of seaweeds (1)
. Whole chain approach >> business case opportunities start with cultivation (scale, method and locality) . In order to develop the seafarms, we have to embrace the Triple P sustainability concept to avoid long term environmental, economic or societal irreversible adverse effects . New chain arrangements and partner combinations needed, such as the combination of offshore and agriculture or end product producer co-responsible for the primary production of seaweeds. The chain
Starting Breeding Location Cultivation Harvesting material Refinery Products
Iterative procedures between steps, requiring cooperating chain partners!
E.g. from seaweed to seaweed cheese (Ulva) and mannitol (Laminaria / Saccharina)!
Starting Breeding Location Cultivation Harvesting material Refinery Products
Ulva cultivation
Laminaria / Saccharina cultivation Valorisation of seaweeds (2) Cultivation approaches and opportunities
. Onshore and laboratory > . Specialties and exotic cultivation seaweed production
. Nearshore cultivation > . Fresh market, wholesale biomass processed (dried
or frozen etc.) or as green manure component . Offshore cultivation > . Biorefinery, major food or industrial components (proteins, carbohydrates, special sugars, pigments and anti-oxydants etc.) Valorisation of seaweeds (3) Challenges
. Onshore and laboratory > . Climate control and cultivation cultivation conditions
. Nearshore cultivation > . Cost yield effectiveness
. Offshore cultivation > . Logistic, costs of infrastructure yield and planting mechanisms Valorisation of seaweeds (4) Challenges
. Onshore and laboratory >. Climate control, existing cultivation opportunities make it possible
. Nearshore cultivation > . Cost yield effectiveness, technically there is a tight
schedule of seaweed cultivation possible, but only when economically effective Logistic, costs of infrastructure . Offshore cultivation > . yield and planting mechanisms, recent cultivation research has led to a reduction of costs of more than 50% Approach
. Facilities: de Wierderij (schelphoek, Eastern Scheldt; AGROMARINE, Greenhouse, Nergena; 1250m3 bassin <>SPARK UP project Arkema, Northseaweed, FBR; Pilot at North Sea <> foundation Northseafarm and BioSolarCells). . Design of a nearshore seafarm with production throughout the year. . Design of an offshore seafarm that can be combined with other maritime functions such as wind parks at sea. Cultivation and maritime infrastructures Testlocation de Wierderij Schelphoek; Eastern Scheldt Testlocation design Operational from 1 May 2011 onwards Seafarms to guarantee constant quality of biomass
. The first experimental farm was opened 26 april 2011 Location de Schelphoek, since: • Presence of natural currents • Tide • Sufficient depth • Outside shipping lanes, quiet, natural area
Subject of study: • Growth and cultivation • Light and nutrients • Crop rotation with regard to pests, diseases and colonisators • Environmental-effects positive or negative? • Harvest and processing • Robustness of systems
AgroMarine , our seaweed laboratory
Production & Harvesting
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Ulva lactuca
Saccharina latissima
Laminaria digitata
Undaria pinnatifida
Seafarms for food, feed, green chemistry and recycling of natural resources Compounds by seaweeds of economic interest Components Application Proteins Food and feed Minerals Food, Personal Healthcare -iron -calcium -phosphor Seaweed -copper -zinc -magnesium -jodium Vitamines: A,C,,B6,B12,B3,B1,B9 B5 Food, Pharmacy and Personal Healthcare
Carageenan (E 407) Food Processed Eucheuma seaweed (E407a) Alginates Food, Personal Healthcare (E400-405) - Algenic acid (E400) -Sodium alginate (E401 - Potassium alginaa e(E402) Protein values of different seaweed species - Ammonium alginate (E403) - Calcium alginate (E404) 36 Agar (E406) Food 31 Fucoxanthine Anti-oxidant 26 Polyfenols Anti-oxidant 21
% 16 Fucoidan Pharmacy 11 Mannitol Food 6 Iodine Food, Pharmacy 1 Carbohydrates Biofuel -4 Fatty acids food Alaria Fucus Padina Laminaria PalmariaPorphyra Gracilaria Ulva lactuca Sargassum Ulva pertusaUlva clathrataMonostroma Rhodymenia Ulva armoricanaEnteromoorpha Seaweed for human food
. Direct consumption: fresh or dried . Or extract the different components? ● Hydrocolloids (agar, alginate en carrageenan) ● Carbohydrates, sugars ● Protein ● Antioxydants and vitamins ● Micronutrients . We focus on proteins Soup with Sealettuce– harvestikng festival ARCAM, Amsterdam
Oesters met zeesla
Paté with Sealettuce Lamb wit Sealettuce Restaurant de Schelphoek (Schouwen Duiveland) Proteins for human food?
. It is nice to design meat and diary replacers, but because of the societal acceptation it is imoportant to challenge the culinary chain to design a nea generation of food products based on seaweed (protein), but then so good in taste and texture that one is likely to prefer it above meat or dairy products. . With more than 50% reduction of the ecological foot print of current dairy products . Next years these products will be developed by you? The protein challenge
. World population 2050: +33% . Global meat consumption 2030: +50% . 3-6 kg plant protein required for 1 kg meat protein
Urgent need for an increase in plant protein production Protein sources for animal production . Current global need for feed protein: 1 billion tonnes per year . Major current source: soybean Protein sources for animal production . Extension of soybean production? ● Greater demand of fresh water ● Loss of biodiversity ● Further distorted nutrient balance . Alternative protein source: seaweed ● Use of seas and oceans ● No fresh water required Seaweeds for (aqua)feed Mussles are eating processed Sea Lettuce! Marine biorefinery
Consumption Biomass Green fertiliser
Food Seaweed Feed Chemicals Personal healthcare Pharmacy Biorefinery
Residue
Fermentation Hydro-thermal upgrading (HTU) Gasification Energy carriers Electricty and heat
1200m3 basin with seawater to execute photosynthesis experiments Arkema Chemie Vlissingen BioSolarCells U2.5 and multiple functions
. Seaweed biofilter in the Eems-Dollard region, planned at the Punt van Reide . Nature restoration and conservation + . Biomass for green chemistry Biofilter in de Dollard: proposed position of the filter
Prototype of biofilter in de Dollard
Maricultural parks?
BIO - OFFSHORE Large-scale seaweed cultivation in combination with windmill parks at the North Sea
ECN – Wageningen-UR
. 5000 km2 . i.e. 10% of the Dutch E.E.Z. of the North Sea
. 350 PJth energy . i.e.10% of the demand of fossile energy Design of a seafarm
• Upper cord for green algae, lower cord for red /brown algae • Hollow cord with holes to fix seaweeds and allow drip fertilisation on the spot
0.006
Green seaweed Red seaweed
0.004 Absorbance 0.002
0 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640 660 680 700 Wavelenght (nm)
Locations
Three approaches, but in common is sustainability
Nearshore; for example de Wierderij, Schelphoek Offshore; bijvoorbeeld the North Seafarm in de Noordzee west of Texel IMTA: Fish and seaweeds around an old oil rick Integrated cultivation in wind mill park at sea Seaweed as biofilter in harbour areas or for land-based aquaculture systems The seafloor and its opportunities
Over 40 years:100.000km2 of seaweed farms ZeeWaar: de eerste private zeewierteelt in Zeeland
Planet Earth Look at it! More sea than land
Sustainability? Sustainability • Environment • Society • Economy
TripleP@Sea? TripleP@Sea >>
Human thoughts Land and sea, start from the thightly landside connected
Preparation & Installation
1. Starting material
Laminaria digitata & Saccharina latissima from Hortimare from thin to thick rope
Fixation of Ulva lactuca into the thick rope
2. Installation on test location Production & Harvesting
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Ulva lactuca
Saccharina latissima
Laminaria digitata
Undaria pinnatifida
Processing Products
• Food products
• Personal healthcare
• Pharmacy
Sustainable seaweed cultivation is necessary to develop new production and market chains! Case 1 seaweed for protein feed (shortterm) food (longterm)
. Shortterm (i.e. within 5 . <2% of the world ocean years seaweeds may act surface is neededn to meet as an adequate Soy the demand by 10 billion replacement in the feed people (i.e. 4× Portugal or industry +360,000km2); . In aquaculture of fish, . By distant handling and there are indications that decision large offshore welfare and health of fish seafarms are economically increase by adding feasible if also biomass seaweeds biomass as components are sold. supplement
Case 2 closing the loop: phosphate recycling by seaweeds
P-reservoirs (Biospheric) Total Storage (Mt P) Ocean 93,000 Soils 40-50 Phytomass 570-625 - Terrestrial 500-550 - Marine 70-75 Zoomass 30-50 Anthropomass 3 Case 3 Open Seafarm for energy or?
BIO - OFFSHORE Large scale cultivation of seaweeds in combination with offshore wind mills
ECN – Wageningen-UR
. 5000 km2 . i.e. 10% of the Dutch EEZ
. 350 PJth energy . d.i. 10% of the energy needs in 2020 . Multiple usage of the area (nursery of fish, reduction of waves and to be combined with other measures of climate proof coastal defense) …. Or making smart combinations?
. By combining seaweed production with a windmill park will lead towards an economically beneficial exploitation . Combining application of wind- + wave energy . Combining application with storage of energy . Combining energy with food production . Combining existing with new infrastructure Case 4 Let us return to the start…….
. Agroproduction 21rd century . Seaweed in the sea next to the Sahara ● Production and recycling of water and phosphate ● Internal seaweed water is almo9st fresh water! ● Drinking water and food source? ● Multiple use of the sea >> we may restock with that the sea with fish etc. ● The Dutch Rainmaker makes the water usage possible
Seaweeds might produce fresh water!
Stakeholder relationships
. Science - Interdisciplinary science Society communication Secundary stakeholders . Primary stakeholders - Primary stakeholders Concerned, directly involved Science . Secundary stakeholders - Concerned, not directly involved . Society - Societal conditions, all other drivers Science communication
Society Society
Secundary stakeholders Secundary stakeholders Primary stakeholders Primary stakeholders Science Science
Two scenarios Sustainability people
. We made considerable efforts to make seaweeds and their applications known:
. Seaweed at the Boerhave Museum exposition on food security in 2015
. Students involved in labscale nutrient experiments . It is important to invest in human capital for sustainable seaweed cultivation . Minor sustainable seaweed cultivation will start in the year 2016/2017. Different approaches
. Onshore: specialties in closed production systems . Nearshore: fresh market as healthy food . Offshore: large-scale operation to secure protein production and other green chemistry resources. . Education schemes for this new sector . Small test facilities, such as the Wierderij, Noordzeeboerderij and AgroMarine are then needed.
AgroMarine Seaweeds for a sustainable future
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